Partnership opens doors in science and technology for Indigenous students in Cape Breton
The beginning of what should be a fruitful relationship started in Cape Breton on Tuesday.
It's between Indigenous students who need employment opportunities and the science and tech sector which needs a qualified workforce.
With a few signatures on the dotted line, a partnership was formed -- one that's expected to open windows of opportunity for First Nations students in science, technology, engineering and math.
"It's kinda nice to see, because not a lot of people here in this community succeed," said student Kaisa'n Stevens.
The program was launched at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni and it's called "U'namaki P-Tech," or – "Pathways to Technology."
Stevens is a Grade 11 student who has been taking some tech courses already. Now he's considering a career in the sector.
"I didn't think too much about this P-Tech program," Stevens said. "I just heard about it, and I was like 'Whatever, I'll sign up for it.' I didn't know it came with (so many) benefits."
One of those benefits students enjoyed on Tuesday was a visit from the president of IBM Canada, Claude Guay.
Guay said the program is designed "to address some challenges that we have in this country."
Guay says the challenges companies like his are facing is two-fold: A skills shortage in the industry, in general and an under-representation of the country's Indigenous population.
Guay told the students gathered in the gym that he'd like to one day hire some of them.
"When they graduate, they will be first in line for an interview with IBM," Guay said. "But actually, before they even graduate, they will have paid internship for IBM."
Newell Johnson has been the school's principal for 23 years.
"I was proud," Johnson said. "I was so proud of the students."
She says plain and simply, chances like this didn't happen in the past.
"To have these kinds of opportunities, I think we're doing something wonderful, something amazing, for our future students and for our future kids and generations," Johnson said.
While the program was launched today here in Eskasoni, it's being made available to students in Indigenous communities all over Cape Breton Island.
Stevens thinks there's some untapped talent in his community for this line of work and, as for his own future, the possibilities are wide open.
"I'm really interested in engineering and anything to do with physics," Stevens said. "So maybe something in nuclear engineering or biomedical would be a really cool career path, maybe, to choose."
A win-win amid hopes some of these youth might be making plenty of money one day in a fast-growing industry.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.